Christopher Black MS, PhD

Dr. Christopher D. Black, MS, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma. He completed his Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science at the University of Georgia. First, he is interested in the role of exercise and daily physical activity in acute and chronic changes in pain sensitivity and endogenous pain inhibitory function. As part of this work, they employ multiple exercise modalities (running, biking, resistance training, etc.) in an attempt to elucidate the optimum exercise type, duration, and intensity for providing pain relief. His second interest is in elucidating the causes of exercise-induced muscle damage and determining its impact on aerobic exercise performance. His secondary interests are broadly concerned with neuromuscular function (e.g. how the nervous system controls muscle contractions and force production) and how it can be impacted by acute and chronic pain, muscle damage, and exercise training. In an effort to better understand the impact of pain and alterations in nervous system function on the neuromuscular function we have tested the effects of analgesic (pain relieving) drugs such as caffeine as well as supplements such as carbohydrate-containing beverages on neuromuscular function and exercise performance.